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DR. PIERCE'S 



REMINISCENCES OF FORTY YEARS, 



DELIVERED, IN BROOKLINE, 



19 MARCH, 1837. 



o 

REMINISCENCES OF FORTY YEARS, 



DELIVERED, 



19 MARCH, J83 7, 



THE LORD S DAY AFTER THE COMPLETION OF FORTY YEARS 
FROM HIS SETTLEMENT IN THE MINISTRY, IN 



BROOKLINE, 



- BY JOHN PIERCE, D. D. 
The fifth Pastor of the Congregational Church and Society, in Brookline. 



PRINTED, EOT NOT PUBLISHED, BY SUBSCRIPTION AMONG HIS PEOPLE. 



BOSTON, 

MINOT PRATT, PRINTER. 

18 37. 



Fit 



60563 

As the author has ah-eady published two historical discourses relating to this 
Town and Church ; the first, delivei'ed, on 24 November, 1805, at the termina- 
tion of a century from the incorporation of the Town ; and the second, on 9 No- 
vember, 1817, the Lord's day after the completion of a century from the gather- 
ing of the Church, he will not be expected to repeat many facts contained in 
those Memoirs. But, as he shall have frequent occasion to refer to them, to 
save needless repetition, he will designate the former by the letters T. C. D. 
and the latter by C. C. D. 



REMIMSCErsCES OF FORTY YEARS. 



DEUTEROxNOMY VIII. 2. 
Thou shall remember all the way, which the Lord thy God led thee, these 
forty years. 

It is common in scripture to recall the memory of the 
past. This, it is obvious, is the part of wisdcm. How 
else shall we be sensible of divine mercies ? How else 
shall we make a suitable improvement of our trials ? 
How else shall we realize the swift flight of time, and 
seize the fleeting moments, as they pass ? How else 
shall we be mindful of our defects and sins, and " flee 
for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us ".'' How 
else shall we prepare for the destinaiion, which awaits 
us ? 

Accordingly Moses, the man of God, the conductor 
of the Israelites from Egj'pt, the place of their servi- 
tude, to Canaan, the land of their inheritance, emj)loys 
the v/hole book, from which the text is taken, in re- 
capitulating their distinguished national mercies, in re- 
viewing their trials, in bringing to mind the principal 
scenes, during their peregrinations in the wilderness, in 
admonishing them of their egregious transgressions, and 
in showing them by what means they might become 
and continue a prosperous and happy people. 



As, during the past week, the exact period, to which 
Moses so expressively refers, has elapsed from the 
commencement of the pastoral connexion between the 
minister* and people in this place, the tho'ight has sug- 
gested itself to my mind, that an appropriate use might 
be made of the monition, with which I introduced my 
discourse. " Thou shalt remember all the way, which 
the Lord thy God led thee, these forty years." 

I. Let me then begin the memorial of events, in 
which we are mutually interested, by a brief review of 
our privileges and blessings, as a religious society. 

By adverting to the " Discourse, delivered, on 24 
November, 1805, the day, which completed a century 
from the incorporation of the Town," you will find, thai 
the early settlers of this place found many difficultiesf 
in procuring and enjoying religious, as well as munici- 
pal privileges. For about three quarters of a century, it 
formed a part of the neighboring Capi'al, to which the 
inhabitants here addressed re; e;»ted and earnest peti- 
tions, before they could obtain their consent to become 
incorporated. Similar difficulties prevented their for- 
mation of a religious society ; so that the first meeting 
house was not raised, till 10 Ni^vember, 1714.t Its 
Dedication sermon was preached, on 3 June, 1715, by 
the Rev. Nebemiah Walter, pastor of the First Church, 
in Roxbury, for several years colleague with the divine, 
familiarly denominated the apostle Eliot. || 

* Ordained, 15 March, 1797. t T. C. D. p. S. 

t The builders were Deacon Samuel Clark and Mr Isaac Gardner, inhabit- 
auts of the Town, and members of the Church ; the former died, 7 May, 1766, 
aged 81 ; the latter, 11 March, 1767, aged 83. Deacon Samuel Clark was the 
first, who was published in the New Meeting house. 

II It is not a little remarkable that the ministry of these two divines extended 
to 120 years ; the Rev. John Eliot having been in the ministry 58 years, and 
the Rev. Nehemiah Walter, 62 years. 



This Clmrch was gathered, on 26 October, 1717, 
nearly one hundred and twenty years a;:o. By this it 
appears, that your present pastor has officiated here, a 
little more than one third of the period, since this 
Church was formed. 

The Rev. James Allen, first panor of this Church, 
was a man of piety and talents.* For the greater part 
of his ministry, he and his people were happily united. 
During the troublous times, which deeply agitated the 
Churches, in this region, just before the middle of the 
last century, he was active in the new measures, which 
were then pursued, and prepared for " The Christian 
History,"! a glowing account of a most glorious Revi- 
val of religion here, in which he was greatly instru- 
mental. 

But from certain causes, to such excesses did it lead, 
that he, who had, during its progress, considered it, as 
the work of God, in a public and explicit manner as- 
cribed it to a very different origin. 

No sooner was this tergiversation made known, than 
a portion of his Church abjured his Church and minis- 
try, loaded him ^vith reproaches,^ formed a separate 
society, in this Town, and after employing, for a course 
of years, lay exhorters rnd preachers, on 17 .January, 
1751, ordained, as their stated pastor, Mr Jonathan 
Hyde,|l a zealous, but illiterate layman from Canterbury, 
Connecticut. 

* T. C. D. p. 13. What I then conjectured, I have since ascertained to be 
fact- that Mr Allen, according to the custom of the ti.nes preached his ownor- 
dina'tion sermon, which was from Matthew xxiv. 45, 46, 47. " Who then is a 
faithful and wise servant" &c. 

t Published, in Boston, 1743, in two volumes. The work was expressly de- 
signed to publish accounts of Revivals of religion, and was edited hy Thomas 
Prince, son of the Rev. Thomas Prince, ministerof the Old South Church, 13os- 
ton. For the above mentioned Document see Appendix I. 

t See Appendix IT. ll He died, 4 June, 1787, -Et. 78. 



It has been uniformly represented to me, as the evi- 
dent effect of these convulsions on the mind of the first 
pastor, that he fell into a decline, and expired, at the 
age of fifty six.* 

In about a year after his decease, the Church gave a 
united call to Mr Cotton Brown, son of a former minis- 
ter of Haverhill ; and the people were about to proceed 
peaceably to his settlement. In the mean time, certain 
" busy bodies in other men's matters " circulated the 
report, which was not slow in travelling, that he was 
an unsafe spiritual guide. 

Now could they have prevailed on the Church to call 
a Council to settle the matter, in the nomination of 
which they should have had a share, it would not have 
been difficult to find ministers, who would have confirm- 
ed these rash judgments, and thus have increased and 
perpetuated, instead of healing the incipient divisions. 
But your fathers more wisely decided, as they were to 
sit under his ministry, and to support him, as their pas- 
tor, to judge for themselves. 

Accordingly they called a meeting of the Church, 
and passed the following resolutions. f 

" That although this Church, when they gave Mr 
Cotton Brown a call to be their pastor, were well sat- 
isfied with regard to his principles in religion, as far as 
they were able to form a judgment of the same from his 
public preaching ; yet, inasmuch as there have been, 
since that time, rumors abroad, as well as jealousies at 
home, in the minds of some among ourselves, as if Mr 
Brown was not sound in the faith ; therefore, 

* The Rev. James Allen died, 18 February, 1747, ^t. 56. His wife Mehefa- 
ble, daughter of the Rev. Jeremiah Shepard, of Lynn, died, 27 June, 1748, ^t. 
62. For singular vicissitudes in their family, see appendix III. 
t Brookline Church Records. 



" Voted, That Mr Brown be desired more fully to 
communicate his principles to this Church, and to lay 
before them the articles of his faith, which desire Mr 
Brown readily complied with.* 

" Upon ivhich it was voted, that this Church are ful- 
ly satisfied with regard to Mr Brown's principles, and 
do approve of ihe same, as being, in their apprehension, 
agreeable to the oracles of truth." 

They then proceeded to call a Council for his ordina- 
tion, which took place, on 26 October, 1 748.1 

His ministry was duly estimated, the short time it 
lasted; for he expired, on 13 Apri', 1751, having sus- 
tained the ministerial office but two years, five months, 
and eighteen days.| 

To show how differently this young divine was con- 
sidered by the Separatists of the day, and those most 
competent to form a correct judgment, I will rehearse 
the character given of him, at the time of his decease, 
by the eminent Dr Cooper, of Brattle Street Church, 
Boston, his class-mate at the University. 

" On the 13th instant, died, at Brookline, the Rev. 
Cotton Brown, pastor of the Church, in this place, son 
of the Rev. John Brown, of Haverhill ; a gentleman, 
who, by the happiness of his genius, his application to 
study, and taste for polite literature, his piety and pru 
dence, his sweetness of temper, and softness of manners, 
had raised in his friends the fairest hopes, and gave 
them just reason to expect in him one of the brightest 
ornaments of society, and a peculiar blessing to the 
Church. 

" The short time he sustained the ministerial charac- 

* See Appendix IV. t T. C. D. p. 15. 

I Mr Brown was engaged to be married to Mary Allen, only daughter of his 
predecessor ; and the house now owned by Reuben Hunting was raised for him. 



8 

ter, he so well performed the duties proper to it, that 
he has left with his charge a very lasting remembrance. 

" In public he clearly taught and persuasively urged 
and enforced the important truths and duties of Christi- 
anity with a voice and manner singularly engaging, and 
expressive of the modesty and benignity of his nature. 
His example, at the same time, gave a peculiar force 
to his sermons ; and in his life we saw those beauties 
of holiness exerted into action, which in his discourses 
he so handsomely recommended ; so that those, who 
heard him from the desk, admired his talents, as a 
preacher ; and those, who conversed with him, in pri- 
vate life, the more intimately they did so, the more were 
they charmed with his virtues, as a christian. 

" To such a person no death could be sudden or pre- 
mature. Young as he was, he had looked through the 
world with too piercing an eye, to be loth to leave it, 
at the call of God ; and had learned to die, at an age 
when but few, in any good measure, have learned to 
live. He met the king of terrors with that calmness, 
which became his character, that rational calmness, 
which the principles of religion can alone inspire ; hav- 
ing a humble confidence in the great Mediator, and an 
expectation of the life and immortality, which he brought 
to light. Throuojh the burning restlessness of a fever, 
and frequent returns of violent pains, as his senses nev- 
er left him, he never showed the least impatience, but 
expressed the most profound submission to the deter- 
minations of his heavenly Father, and died with a will 
entirely resolved into the divine. 

" To his friends, his pastoral charge, and to all, who 
were acquainted with his virtues and his worth, his 
death was indeed untimely ; for he had but just com- 



9 

pletecl Ills twenty fourtli year. But to himself he had 
lived long, and died full of da)s. ' For wisdom is the 
grey hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.'" 

This Church proceeded, in due time, to invite two 
young men* to settle over them, who successively re- 
fused their invitation. 

They next invited Mr Robert Rogerson, a native of 
Scotland, a young man of unimpeachable character, to 
be their minister, who accepted the invitation. But 
parties arising among the people, on the ground, that he 
was a foreigner, whose early life they had not person- 
ally known, he was induced to leave them without or- 
dination, and was settled at Rehoboth, where he fulfill- 
ed a long ministry, honorable to himself, and profitable 
to his people. 

Mark now the inconsistencies, into which short-sight- 
ed mortals sometimes fall. Those very people, who ob- 
jected to the candidate just mentioned, that he was a 
stranger, though he possessed ample credentials, pro- 
ceeded suddenly to give a call to another,! from a dis- 
tance, without credentials, before they had even ascer- 
tained his christian name, whom they as abruptly set- 
tled, and who, though professedly orthodox in faith, 
was destined, during a short ministry, to give woful 
emphasis to the apostle's monition, " Lay hands sud- 
denly on no man. "I 

On this disappointment of their fondest hopes, the 
people proceeded immediately to settle the Rev. Joseph 

* T. C. D. p. 15. t T. C, D. p. 15. 

t Rev. Nathaniel Potter married a Livermore,ol Waltham, by whom he had 
a daughter Sarah, who died in infancy. After his death, his widow wa» mar- 
ried to Robert Pierpont Esq. of Roxbury. 



10 

Jackson,* my highly venerated predecessor, iheir fourth 
pastor, who, through a ministry of. more than thirty six 
years, maintained a uniform ciiaracter for prudence, in- 
tegrity, and piety. 

But twof are now living in this Town, who were liv- 
ing here, at the time of his ordination, 9 April, 1760, 
almost seventy seven years ago. 

The ministry of Mr Jackson, as ic has been always 
represented to me, was conducted with much wisdom 
and discretion, in a great measure undisturbed by inter- 
nal dissensions, or outward assaults. 

The severest trials he experienced, on the ground of 
interference, were from the son of a principal malecon- 
tentjt during the latter part of Mr Allen's ministry, who, 
as a Baptist exhorter, drew some from his fold ; and 
who, with others, was instrumental in converting to the 
anti-pedobaptist faith nearly, if not quite every member 
of Mr Hyde's Church, with the exception of the pastor, 
who, to the day of his death, remained a pedobaptist, 
though he worshipped with the Baptist Church, in 
Newton. Such was the opinion entertained of his pie- 
ty, it was the remark of the first pastor || of said Church, 
that " he was always glad to see father Hyde at meet- 
ing ; for he knew, that he had one praying hearer."^ 

* T. C. D. p. 16. 

] Widow Jerusha Craft, born, 1 August, 1749, and widow Elisabeth Corey, 
born, 12 October, 1746, the oldest person now living in the Town. 

I Deacon Elhanan Winchester. See Appendix V. 

II Rev. Caleb Blood. 

§ For a minute account of the gathering of the Baptist Church, in Newton, 
and of the agency of Mr Elhanan Winchester, Jr., son ot the Deacon, in making 
converts, see " A Sermon exhibilinf; the origin, progress, and present state of 
the Baptist Church and Society, in Newton, preached before them, on the first 
Lord's day, in January, 1830, by Joseph Grafton, Pastor of said Church." 



11 

It is not a little remarkable, that the joung man,* 
who gave my predecessor so much trouble by attempts 
to build on his foundation, should, on his conversion to 
a new faith, give iiim still greater annoyance by the 
busy propagation of doctrines in his vicinity, regarded 
by him as highly latitudinarian in their tendency. f 

I have given this sketch of our Church, before my 
own times, to impress on your minds, my hearers, and 
my own, our obligations to God for his distinguishing 
goodness to us, the last forty years. We have had our 
trials ; but they have been greatly overbalanced by mer- 
cies ; and our trials have been light, compared with 
those, which were suffered, in the earlier history of our 
Church. 

At the commencement of my ministry, few were the 
avowed diversities of religious opinions in this place and 
among ministers and Churches in the surrounding re- 
gion. Of late years how great the changes ! Instead of 
the fathers have come the children, some of whom have 
embraced a different faith ; and the frequent instances 
of emigration and immigration have tended to multiply 
these differences. 

But notwithstanding these changes in our religious 
views, it is a subject of devout gratitude to God, that 
they have not led to such heart-burnings and aliena- 
tions, in families and in neighborhoods, as have, in oth- 
er places, disturbed the peace, and separated sworn 
friends. Though some have left us, and sought more 
congenial society and worship, with whom, in past sea- 
sons, we have " taken sweet counsel together, and gone 
to the house of God in company " ; yet a respectable 

* Appendix VI. I Appendix VII. 



12 

society still remains, who, it is devoutly to be hoped, 
will transmit iinimp;iired the religious institutions of 
their fathers to the latest posterity. In this regard, how 
different is our condition, my hearers, from that of ma- 
ny societies, which are continually changing, and never 
long satisfied ; or in which the ordinances of our reli- 
gion, so dear to the hearts of our fathers, have gone to 
decay ; the ministry has become extinct ; the people 
are indifferent to religion under every form, and ar(^ li- 
able to the insidious arts of every designing intruder ! 

Blessed be God, who in these, and in other respecTs, 
makes us to differ from so many less favored communi- 
ties. In point of toleration and brotherly love, only 
compare our intercourse among those, who differ from 
us, with that of dissentients in our neighboring Capital, 
during the early history of our country. There were 
then sanguinary laws and bitter persecutions levelled 
against the Baptists and Quakers. Gloomy are the 
pages, in the accounts of our puritan fathers, which re- 
cord these transactions. How lovely the contrast which 
we now witness ! How uniform, how undisturbed, ho.v 
intimate the union between the recently organized Bap- 
tist Society* here and our own ! In various benevolent 
enterprises of the day, how remarkable the co-opera- 
tion ! We have pleasantly walked together, where we 
could agree ; and where we could not see, eye to eye, 
we have agreed to differ. Concerning their pastor, who 
has lately been separated from them, it is my willing 
testimony, that, during his resident e among us, never 
have I heard a word from him, nor witnessed a transac- 
tion, in relation to our Society, which has given me a 

* Appendix VIII. 



moment's uneasiness. On the other liMirl, liis kind of- 
fices, and those of his family, have been uniformly ex- 
}3erieneed, and iiratefully reeiproeated ; and his efforts 
for the general peace and prosperity have been uninter- 
mitied and salutary. Most cordially do I respond to his 
j)artii)jj; testimony,* " rarely, very rarely does it haj)pen, 
that two ministers of diffiu'ent denoinin;iiions labor so 
harmoniously i.i the same fiel 1, as you and myself have 
done ; and more harmoniously no two njinisters of even 
the same communion could have labored." it is my 
firm belief, that a similar union so sincerely cherished, 
and so touchingly expressed, has been generally main- 
tained between the two Societies. What lover of peace 
and religious toleration but must strive and pray, that it 
may be perpetual ! 

The forty years, to which my ministry has been pro- 
longed, it will be recollected, is the period, in which the 
Israelites were traveling and sojourning in the wilder- 
ness from their departure out of Egypt to their arrival 
at the promised land. It will be also remembered, that 
of the immense numbers, who left the })lace of their in- 
glorious servitude, at adult age, but two, Caleb and 
.Joshua, survived to enter the country of their inheritance. 
All the rest of this great company lell in the wilderness. 
" Having obtained help of God," you, my friends, have 
been more highly favored. For of the comparatively 
small number, below six hundred, who were living here, 
forty years ago, twenty six, of whom nine are men, and 
seventeen women, who were adults, at that period, are 
now living in the Town. The whole number now sur- 
viving here, who were born at that period, is fifty five, 

* In a letler to the author. 



14 

of whom twenty one are men and thirty four wo- 
men. 

Of this number I reckon twenty one men and twenty 
six women, in the whole forty seven, older, than your 
pastor; and there are ten couples in the Town, who 
have been longer connected in the marriage union. 

At the organization of this Church, there were thirty 
nine, of whom were seventeen men and twenty two 
women. 

At the close of Mr Allen's ministry, the number of 
communicants had been one hundred and fifty four. 
During Mr Brown's ministry, but three were added to 
the Church ; during Mr Potter's, sixteen ; during Mr 
Jackson's, one hundred and thirty ; and, for the last 
forty years, one hundred and ninety five, fifty three 
males and one hundred and forty two females. Of this 
number, seventy six were of those, who had attended 
my catechisings or the sabbath school. 

At my ordination, there were twenty two resident 
male communicants and thirty female, making fifty two ; 
and eight non-resident male members, and twenty five 
female, in the whole eighty five. 

All the communicants of this Church, who were ad- 
mitted, during the ministry of the first three pastors, 
have deceased. Of those adn)itted, under Mr Jackson's 
ministry, twenty three are living, eight men and fifteen 
women. Of members admitted, during my ministry, 
are thirty men and one hundred and seven women, mak- 
ing the whole number alive one hundred and sixty. 

Of the one hundred and ninety five admitted, during 
my ministry, fifty six have died, fifty six live out of 
Town, fifteen have been dismissed to other Churches, 



15 

eleven have become Baptists, six* have been pre achers 
of the gospel, of whom one is President of Bovvdoin 
College, four have left without joining any other 
Church, one became a Roman Catholic, and one a Uni- 
versalist. 

There has been, lor a number of years past, a gradu- 
al, but steady increase of population. By the census of 
1790, there were 515 inhabitants; in 1800, 605; in 
1810, 784; in 1820, 900; in 1830, 1040. 

At the time of my ordination, there were 72 dwell- 
ing houses,! 'ind the same number of lamilies. Of these 
dwellings, 34 were belovy the Meeting house, and 88 
above. 

There are now 151 dwelling houses, 79 below the 
Meeting house, and 72 above ; in which, during some 
part of the year, there have been 176 families, 99 be- 
low the Meeting house, and 77 above. 

II. It becomes us, in the second place, to remember 
not only the Lord's mercies ; but also our trials. 

In the retrospect of forty years, how great has been 
their number ! What considerate person has passed so 
short a period, as not to have experienced his share ? 

Wherever we turn our view, what changes salute us ! 
Even if for the better, they loudly admonish us, that 
" the fashion of this world passeth away," and we are 
passing away with it. 

Though, if we properly contemplate the subject, we 

* Rev. William Allen, D. D". President of Bovvdoin College, Me. 
Rev. Jesse Fisher, late minister of Windham, Conn. 
Rev. Samuel Clark, late minister of Burlington, Vt. 
Rev. Joseph Haven, minister of Billcrica. 
Rev. Increase Sumner Davis, minister of Wentwbrth, N. H. 
Rev. David Hatch Barlow, minister of Brooklyn N. Y. 
t C. C. D. p. 27. 



16 

must acknowledge, that the Lord's mercies are far more 
numerous, than his judgments ; jet who has passed 
over the period specified in the text, and has not had his 
days of mourning ? Few, through so long a season, are 
exempt from bodily diseases and pains ; none are with- 
out grievous mental inquietudes. 

If, for a length of time, relieved from personal suf- 
ferings, how deeply is our sympathy excited by the 
sickness and death of those, who are near and dear to 
our hearts ! 

Since my settlement in this Town, there have been 
423 deaths, 209 males and 214 fVmales. Of these 20 
lived to 80 and upwards ; 51 to 70 and upwards. The 
oldest person was 94, and the next oldest, 92. In 
Roxbury families, worship;mig with us, the deaths have 
been 58, 28 males and 30 females. 

The deaths of church members have been 71, 33 
males and 38 females ; of occasional communicants, 6 
males and 25 females ; and belonging to all other com- 
munions, 4 males and 9 females; in the whole, 115, 
more than one quarter of all the deaths. 

During my ministry, 2 have died, who joined the 
Church under the first minister, 73, who were admitted 
by Mr Jackson, and 56 of my admissions, in the whole 
160. 

Alas ! in the successive occurrence of so many deaths, 
how many tender ties have been dissevered ! How 
often has the conjugal union been invaded ! How ma- 
ny brothers and sisters have been separated ! How 
often have children been called to mourn the departure 
of beloved parents ! How frequently have the hearts 
of fathers and mothers been torn with anguish, at the 
loss of promising children ! 



17 

HI. Thirdly, the season calls on us to consider the 
swift flight of time, that we may properly lament, what 
has been misimproved, and more faithfully occupy the 
short span, which remains. 

I know not, how it is with others ; but, in my view, 
the last 40 years have rolled away with inconceivable 
velocity. 

Events succeed each other so imperceptibly, that, un- 
less you take some landmarks, you can hardly realize, 
how rapidly you are passing down the stream of time. 

As one memorial, take then the fact, that of the 72* 
houses, standing, 40 years ago, 14, about one fifth part, 
have been demolished ; that but 35 have fragments of 
the same families living in them, as then ; that 6 only 
have the same owners, 3 below the Meeting house, and 
3 above ; that but 4 of these have the same occupants ; 
and but 2, the same united heads. f 

Thirty years ago, last June, 66 pews in this house 
were either purchased or hired. In 14 only of these 
do any of the same families now sit, as then. Eleven 
only have the same owners ; 8 the same occupants ; and 
of these 6 only, where both partners are living. 

At the time of my call to settle, there were 66 legal vo- 
ters, but 12 of whom arc sujiposed to be living, 9 belong 
to this Town, 8 to this Parish, and 6 are communicants of 
this Church. 

Of 22 male Church mcmljcrs, at the time of my 
ordination, but 4 are living, 3 of whom communicate 
with us. 

In 40 instances, both heads of families have died ; 
and in 4 cases, there has been the death of a husband 
and two wives. 

* C. C. D. p. 27. t Appendix IX. 

3 



18 

In this period, there have died 75 male heads of fam- 
ilies, and 70 female, amounting to 145. 

There were two Committees, one of the Church, 
consisting of three, and the other, of the Town, consist- 
ing of two, who pr(!sented me the call to settle in the 
ministry ; but one of the whole number is now living. 

Of housekeepers here, at the time of my ordination, 
10 are living below the Meeting house, and 6 above ; 
but 8 of whom occupy the same houses ; and but 3 
couples remain, who were then living together. 

Fourteen ministers were invited to assist in my ordi- 
nation ; but 5 of whom are now living. Of the 6, who 
took part in the public religious exercises, but one re- 
mains, and he has recently resigned his pastoral office. 

IV. The season should, fourthly, lead us, both as pas- 
tor and people, to ponder our defects and sins, and 
" flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us." 

What these are, let the conscience of each one de- 
cide. If we will but impartially examine ourselves by 
the word of God, we may find much, that is amiss ; 
much, which should humble us under the mighty hand 
of God, and lead us to pray earnestly for forgiveness 
through the mediation of Jesus Christ. Faith in him, 
repentance, and correspondent fruits are the only re- 
vealed terms, on which we are encouraged to hope. 

These things being so, it is of infinite importance to 
decide, whether our faith be such, as the Lord Jesus 
requires ? Is it within us a vital, practical principle, 
formed by diligent study of the scriptures ? Or are we 
indifferent, whether we have faith, or not ? Or do we 
content ourselves with a merely speculative faith, which, 
though with great pretensions to soundness, produces 
not its proper fruits, and is therefore barren and in 
effectual ? 



19 

Let us also be solicitous to ascertain, whether we 
have repented after a godly sort ? We cannot become 
acquainted with the rudiments of the gospel, but we 
must perceive the stress laid on repentance by our Sa- 
vior, his evangelists, and apostles. This was the lead- 
ing doctrine urged and reiterated by him, who came to 
prepare the way of the Lord. By the testimony of 
Mark, our Savior began his public ministry by calling 
on men to " repent and believe the gospel.'" The apos- 
tle Paul shows his sense of its importance, when he 
speaks, as the burden of his preaching, of " testifying to 
the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance toward 
God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." 

Does not pastoral fidelity require me then, my belov- 
ed hearers, to inquire, with due solicitude, whether you 
have thought on your ways, by the instructions and di- 
rections of God's word ; and whether you have cherish- 
ed that godly sorrow for your sins, which is the first 
step toward their renunciation ? 

But faith and repentance, their connected duties, and 
intended results, it is well known, are exceedingly lia- 
ble to perversion. There are good reasons for suppos- 
ing it the main design of the apostle James, in his epis- 
tle, to guard against the false constructions of many, in 
his day, who had misinterpreted the expression of Paul, 
that " man is justified by faith without the deeds of the 
law." 

It is however a sufficient safeguard against every such 
misapprehension, if we will but attentively consider, 
that each apostle adduces the patriarch Abraham, as 
evincing a right faith. But how is it possible to con- 
ceive of a more practical faith, which led directly to 
correspondent works, than that, which was evinced by 
this " father of the faithful ?" 



20 

In relation to this subject, there are two extremes, 
against which it becomes us carefully to guard. 

One is to make faith and repentance merely specula- 
tive principles, without regard to their indispensable 
practical results ; and hence to judge of their accepta- 
bleness, in the sight of God, by lively emotions, by sen- 
sible experiences, or by positive convictions of the truth, 
akin to infallibility, and by forwardness to search and 
condemn others, who come not to the same standard. 
This disposition argues an arrogant claim to unerring 
rectitude of opinion. It would be difficult to find a tem- 
per, against which our Savior and his apostles bear more 
decided testimony. 

The opposite extreme, which demands equal caution, 
is to conclude, that a life influenced by the mere max- 
ims of worldly policy is sufficient to recommend us to 
the favor of the Most High. So thought not the bless- 
ed Jesus, as he traces all virtue to the heart. " A good 
man, out of the good treasure of the heart, bringeth 
forth that, which is good ; and an evil man, out of the 
evil treasure, bringeth forth that, which is evil." 

Settle it then in your minds, my hearers, whether 
the Bible make not repentance, faith, and holiness es- 
sential to divine acceptance, on the merciful terms of 
the christian covenant ; and if so, whether " these things 
are in you, and abound, so that ye are neither bar- 
ren, nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus 
Christ." 

These truths and admonitions, it is believed, have 
been proclaimed to you and your fathers by your five 
successive pastors, for more than 118 years. 

If your pastor knows himself, it has been his heart's 
desire, and daily prayer to God, that you may all come 



21 

to the knowledge and practice of these truths, and he 
saved, through the mediation of our merciful and faith- 
ful High Priest. It was the prayer of John Wesley, an 
eminent instrument in the salvation of souls, " Lord, let 
me not live to he useless." To the same sentiment your 
pastor most dfvoutly responds. 

It has been my privilege, either in person, or by sub- 
stitutes^ to sui)ply the pulpit, during these forty years, 
twice, every Lord's day, but one ; and that was, on 27 
January, 1805, when the depth of snow prevented the 
person engaged from coming to this pince. I have been 
detained from preaching, by indisposition, since my set- 
tlement here, but thirteen sabbaths ; the last, on 3 
March, 1816, more than 21 years ago. 

There have been, in this time, 449 communions, all 
but six of which I have administered. 

I have had 327 public Lectures, of which 149 were 
preached by myself, and 178 by others. Within the 
last ten years, there have been 200 private meetings, 
at all, but five of ivhich, I have officiated. 

There have been 4682 sermons, preached here, in 
public, since the care of the pulpit was intrusted to me. 
Of these 2443 have been preached by myself and 2239 
by others. 

In the mean time, our Church has received 66 letters 
to attend ordinations and installations ; and 8, solicit- 
ing our aid on advisory Councils. 

I have solemnised 180 marriages ; and it is not a lit- 
tle remarkable, that there have been for the last 45 
years, but 5 couples so united, of which each party was 
a native of this Town. 

V. In the fifth and last place, the occasion urges all 
to prepare for the destination, which, we know not how 
soon, awaits us. 



22 

This use the apostle to the Hebrews makes of this 
portion of sacred history. After considering tlie rest, 
for which the Israelites sighed in Canaan, as typical of 
the " rest, that remaineth for the people of God," he 
exhorts, " let us labor therefore to enter into that rest." 

To attain to this consummation is, my hearers, the 
great object, which your pastor should propose, and 
which, he humbly trusts, he has had mainly in view, 
both for himself, and his people. 

I presume not to judge, how many, who have made no 
profession of their faiih in Christ, have good hope, 
through grace, of final acceptance. Much less will I at- 
tempt to decide, what portion of those, who are the nom- 
inal friends of Jesus, are nevertheless, by their habitual 
temper and deportment, " the enemies of the cross, 
whose end is destruction." Admonished by the apostle 
to "judge nothing before the time," 1 readily submit 
this decision to the judgment of the great day. 

But this I will declare, that it gives me great pain to 
be able to induce no more to come forward, and espouse 
the cause of Christ before men. There are several of 
different ages, especially among the younger part of my 
hearers, and, above all, Avhoare young heads of families, 
with infants growing up under their care, whom I long 
to see choosing " that good part, which cannot be taken 
from them," devoting not only themselves, but their 
offspring also to their God and Savior. I marvel, that 
my earnest prayers and endeavors to this purpose have 
not been more successful. It is perhaps to excite 
me to more zealous and promising efforts, and to con- 
vince me, more and more, that "God alone can give 
the increase." Not that the people, under my ministry, 
have been singularly deficient in this respect. The av- 



23 

erage additions, from the gathering of the Church, have 
been about 4 annually ; while, during my ministry, the 
average has been about 5. 

Of the present Church I reckon 19, who are lineal 
descendants from the founders, in 1717,* some of the 
fourth, fifth, and sixth, and one, at least, of the seventh 
generation, both inclusive, from Joseph White, the 
fourth among the founders. 

Of the 76 members of my Church, who had attended 
my catechetical instructions, 17 are numbered with the 
dead. May God almighty raise up others from our 
youth, who shall offer the flower of their age to the 
blessed Redeemer ! 

To all capable of weighing the subject, and desirous 
of presenting themselves " a living sacrifice, holy, ac- 
ceptable unto God," I am commissioned by my Master to 
say, " All things are ready ; come to the marriage " sup- 
per of the Lamb, and begin no longer to make excuses. 

Let me also urge all concerned, who have no plea of 
ill health, to bring their children to the baptismal font. 
Were a judgment to be formed from the growing neg- 
lect of public infant baptism, it might be natural to in- 
fer, that we are becoming anti-pedobaptists. O let not 
fashion be suffered to extend its iron sway to the house, 
and the very ordinances of the Lord. There are obvi- 
ous reasons, which should induce parents, who are able 
and conscientious, to make a public presentation of their 
offspring, in the ordinance of baptism. It certainly re- 
quires much less effort and self-denial, than the ordi- 
nance, as it is administered by our Baptist brethren. 

The privileges and blessings of Sabbath schoolsf I 

* C. C. D. p. 25. 

t Begun here, 2 July, 1826, and continued without intermiision from 4 May, 



24 

can omit no opportunity of earnestly recommending, 
because I feel morally certain of the advantages, which 
they are instrumental in affording to both teachers and 
pupils, as well as parents. Much has been done in this 
business, among us, which I hope duly to estimate, and 
gratefully to acknowledge. My earnest wish is to press 
more into this delightful service. How can we better 
execute the direction of the wise man, " Train up a 
child in the way he should go ?" How can we more 
rationally hope to enjoy the gratification acknowledged 
by the apostle ? " I can have no greater joy, than to 
see my children walking in the truth ?" 

There is a continually increasing call for this instruc- 
tion. In my investigations, the Ir st season, to ascer- 
tain the number ol children to be included in the School 
return to the General Court, I found 142 below the 
Meeting house, and J 08 above, between the ages of 4 
and 16. What can be more desirable, than that these 
should enjoy every possible advantage for receiving ear- 
ly religious instructions and impressions ? Who can 
doubt, that Sabbath School instruction offers the best 
opportunities for all, and the only opportunities for some 
to seek and to acquire religious wisdom ? 

Finally, my hearers, " 1 will not be negligent to put 
you always in remembrance of these things, though ye 
know them, and are established in the present truth. 
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, 
to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance, know- 
ing, that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle. 
Moreover I will endeavor, that ye may be able, after 
my decease, to have these things always in remem- 
brance." 



APPENDIX. 



I. 

Account of a Revival of religion in Brookline, by the Rev. 
James Allen, pastor, in a letter addressed to the Rev. William 
Cooper, Moderator in a meeting of ministers. 

It appears, that the Convention of ministers, who assembled, in 
Boston, in May, 1743, were not, as a body, favorable to the revi- 
vals of religion produced by the instrumentality of the Rev. 
George Whitfield, and others. 

A meeting of Congregational ministers friendly to such meas- 
ures was therefore called to meet, in the Capital, the subsequent 
summer; and the following is the testimony of Mr Allen. See 
Christian History, Vol. I. p. 394. 

" Brookline, July, 1 743. 
To THE Rev. William Cooper. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, — Mr Balch has been pleased to come thus 
far out of his way to bring me the glad tidings of your united 
testimony to the work of God. I am not able to express the joy, 
with which I received the news; and consequent upon it, I was not 
able to come to town to-day, being very much indisposed by the 
head-ache, &c. But, Sir, I was thoughtful of you, the committee, I 
mean, and now thank the Lord, that my secret supplications are so 
suddenly and fully answered. I did not give in, as some did, a 
verbal testimony to the effusions of the Divine Spirit in a work of 
conversion and grace among us. I thought, my being present was 
sufficient; and then my natural temper ever restrains me from 
speaking upon such occasions before those much wiser and better 
than myself But I have since wished, I had, to the glory of free 
and sovereign grace, made a short declaration in the following 
manner. 

That there has been a very distinguishing and remarkable work 
of God going on in the land, I have been so much a witness to. 



26 

in many towns, where I have occasionally been, within these two 
years, that, 1 think, I am as firm in the belief of it, as of the sun 
in the firmament, or of my own existence. For what, but the 
God, that formed it, can so impress the mind with the sense of sin, 
and its destructive consequents, as to cause the greatest sorrow of 
heart, and streams of penitential tears to flow from the eyes? 
What can create in the soul earnest, restless, and vehement de- 
sires after the love, grace, and fellowship of Christ, but that God, 
who first formed the spirit of man within him, and can turn the 
heart, as a river of water? Who, but the God of grace, can 
make the drunkard temperate, and the prodigal son a sober, seri- 
ous man, &c., which things have been common in other places, to 
my frequent observation. 

Nor are ive destitute of some signal instances of free and sove- 
reign grace among us here. There have been scores of persons 
under awakenings. Yea, I have sometimes thought, there has 
not been a single person in my congregation, but has been under 
more or less concern about the important matters of another 
world, and what he should do to be saved. Though these impres- 
sions, I fear, are worn off in many; yet in others, I have no rea- 
son to doubt, that they have been carried on to a sound and sav- 
ing conversion. Additions to the Church have been considerable 
for numbers of such, as, I hope, through grace shall be saved; and 
chiefly of younger persons; one of but eleven years of age; 
another in the eleventh and last hour of life, being above seventy; 
three of a liberal education, two of them since, hopeful young 
preachers. In some few the terrors have been so great, that they 
have cried out in distress. In others, the liberal communications 
of divine light and joy have had alike effect. One of our young 
converts died, the last Fall, in a very glorious and triumphant 
manner; the only one, that has died among us, since the blessed 
work began. I was called to visit her, about ten, the evening 
before she died; and finding her very low in spirits, as well as 
body, I tarried all night, sometimes discoursing, and sometimes 
praying with her. But she received no comfort. In the morning, 
after prayer, she turned her face to the wall, and lay still, for a 
little time, and then broke out, and said, ' Now I am ready to die; 
now I am ready to die.' I immediately stepped to her, and said. 
Child, have you found Christ.^ ' O, yes/ said she, 'I have 



27 

found him; I have found him.' I asked her, if ahe was now as- 
sured of the love of Christ to her? She answered, ' I am sure; 
I am sure. Now I can leave parents and friends, and all for 
Christ. Come, Lord Jesus; O sweet Jesus! O the anthems of 
joy! O sweet! sweet! sweet!' and other expressions of the like 
nature. In which happy frame she continued, about two or three 
hours, and then breathed out her soul into the bosom of Jesus, 
her beloved. These things are the Lord's doings, and loudly call 
for our admiration and praise." 

This statement is in the style of extravagance usual with the 
friends of these excitements, at that day. For a minute account 
of such proceedings, in many places, see "Seasonable thoughts 
on the state of religion in New England, by Charles Chauncy, 
D. D. pastor of the First Church of Christ, in Boston," an 8vo. 
of 424 pages, published, in 1743. 

That the above account partakes of the exaggerations, common 
in those times, may appear from the following considerations. 

1. There was not a single addition to the Church, in Brookline, 
during the wholo year, in which Mr Allen's communication was 
written. There were but 8 admissions, in 1742; 1.3, in 1741; 1, 
in 1740; and none, in 1738 and 1739. Surely the additions to 
the Church of but 22, in six years, less than the average, during 
his ministry, can hardly warrant the language employed by Mr 
Allen in his letter. 

2. From the phraseology used, it seems clearly implied, if not 
asserted, that the three of liberal education, mentioned in the let- 
ter, were fruits of the revival. Yet the only men of liberal edu- 
cation, admitted to the Church here, near to that period, were the 
Rev. Jonathan Winchester, afterward of Ashburnham, who joined 
this Church, 11 December, 1737; the Rev. Charles Gleason, af- 
terward of Dudley, who was admitted, 29 June, 1740; and John 
Druce, afterward physician, in Wrentham, who was received, on 
25 April, 1742. 

3. The excited state, into which Mr Allen's mind was brought, 
was soon succeeded by very different feelings and views on the 
subject, as will appear by the date and tenor of the paper, in Ap- 
pendix II., written but nine months after his account of the revi- 
val, a communication from persons, who seceded from his Church 
and ministry, on account of the sudden change in his sentiments, 
preaching, and measures. 



28 



II. 

"Brookline,^2 April, IIU. 
To THE Rev. James Allen. 

Whereas we, whose names are underwritten, as well as some 
others, having withdrawn ourselves from your ministry, and from 
communion with your Church, where you with the Church receive 
us, promising to v/atch over us, and be as helpful to us, as you 
can, which, we think, has not been fulfilled, inasmuch as you have 
not called any of us to give the reasons of our conduct, although 
you say, that we have run into a damning error; and having de- 
sired you to set apart some time to discourse about the reasons of 
our withdraw; but you refused, and said, you would not take the 
name of God in vain so much, as to talk with us. 

Now we desire with humility and meekness to give you the 
reasons of our withdraw from you and your Church, hoping, that 
the blessing of God will accompany them for the removing of 
those stumbling blocks, which, we fear, some have stumbled at. 
And we desire, that you would lay them before your Church. 

And now the reasons are, as follows. 

I. The first reason, we shall mention, is Mr Allen's speaking 
against that, which, we think, to be the glorious work of God; 
but he calls it a delusion. 

II. His speaking against those ministers, which, we believe, 
the Lord has sent out to invite sinners to Christ. Mr Allen 
warns people not to go to hear them, and said, they, that go to 
hear them, go upon the Devil's ground. 

III. We cannot join with Mr Allen in letting in those to preach, 
who, we fear, are strangers to the life and power of God in their 
souls; because they preach only the form, as we think. One of 
which coming into Mr Allen's house, one time, he said, he had 
as lief seen the Devil. 

IV. We think, Mr Allen's preaching had a tendency to settle 
persons down upon works; for he, speaking to persons out of 
Christ, that, if they used the means, as praying, and attending 
public worship and ordinances, and refrained from all sin as 
much, as they could, they might humbly hope to be saved. 

V. We fear, Mr Allen had not such regard for truth, as he 
should have. For when Mr Buel preached at this Town, he said, 
it was enough to convince an atheist, that he was wonderfully as- 
sisted by the spirit of God. But afterward he seems to deny it 



'19 



all; and said to some, (lie more they heard him, the more they 
would see of his weakness; and said, if they followed him, they 
would be lodging in hell. And Mr Allen told a woman, that she 
had not heard a sermon, for two years, who had, within that time, 
heard old IMr Walter, Mr Moody, Mr Davenport, Mr Bliss, Mr 
Rogers, Mr Buel, Mr Paine, &c. 

VI. We cannot join with Mr Allen in saying, Lord, thou know- 
cst, if we had the command of our own hearts, we would open 
the door to let Christ in; and saying, that natural persons will 
fare the better in hell for their duties. 

VII. We fear, that Mr Allen is not a faithful shepherd; for when 
speaking about one of the brethren of the Church, he said, he did 
not care, what became of him. The person said, do you not care, 
what becomes of his soul.' He said, he did not care, what be- 
came of it. S[)eaking of another of the brethren of the Church, 
he said, that fellow had corrupted the whole family, meaning his 
father's, some of which, we do believe, are the children of God. 

VIII. Mr Allen has lived at variance with one of his neigh- 
bors, almost four years, and declines to make it up with him, 
though requested by him and others. 

Now these are the reasons, with some others, that might have 
been given, for which we withdraw from you. And now for these 
things we have been much displeased; and we desire to mourn 
before the Lord for these things, whereby the spirit of the Lord 
has been grieved. And now we desire to confess to the great 
Lord and Head of the Church our sin in going away, before we 
had given these reasons of our going away. And we desire the 
forgiveness of those, whom we have justly offended; and now v.e 
desire the prayers of all those, that do love our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that we may be enabled to walk, as becomes the gospel of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

Ebenezer Kenrick, Nathaniel Shepard, John Seaver, Jr., Elha- 
nan Winchester, Jr., Richard Seaver, Dudley Boylston, Jr." 

This change in Mr Allen's views of the state of religion in this 
place, tradition uniformly ascribes to the growing extravagances 
of the day, and among his people, from which his mind revolted. 

That he retained, to the end of life, the popular faith, is evident 
from his Election sermon, delivered, 30 May, 1744, entitled 'Ma- 
gistracy an institution of Christ upon the throne,' as also from the 



30 

testimony of a clergyman of the like faith, who preached here, 
during his sickness, and who visited him on his dying bed.* 

The only remark, which will now be made on the result of these 
transactions in this place is, that, for nearly fourteen subsequent 
years, but four persons were admitted to this Church, and they by 
letters from sister Churches, and of these two were ordained, as 
pastors. 

III. 

In the Boston Weekly Newsletter, 1 March, 1750, is the fol- 
lowing. 

" BrooMine, 28 February. 

On Wednesday last, died here, of a fever, Mary Allen, daugh- 
ter of the late Rev. James Allen, of this town, a young gentle- 
woman of an unblemished character, the virtues of whose life 
were so conspicuous, as to render her very amiable in the eyes 
of all her acquaintance. 

The late dispensations of heaven toward this family have been 
surprisingly grievous and sorrowful. Mr Allen, their head, made 
his exit, 18 Feb. 1747; his consort, 27 June, 1748; their son, 
Dec. 1749; and now this young lady ; upon which last bereave- 
ment, the whole family is cut off; and all within the term of three 
years. But though their name is now blotted out from under 
heaven, we trust it is enrolled above the stars; and that they are 
all of them possessing an inheritance there." 

Mr Allen's children were, — 1. Shepard, born , 15 September, 
1721, died, 6 October, 1721; 2. James, born, 20 September, 1723, 
died, December, 1749; 3. Mary, born, 25 October, 1725, died, 
February, 1750; 4. Mehetable, born, 4 January, 1728, died, 
24 February, 1729. 

IV. 

Mr Brown's articles of faith delivered to the Church. 

" I believe, that the scriptures are given by inspiration of God; 
that they are the unerring rule of faith and practice; that they 
are able to make us wise unto salvation; and that whatever is ne- 
cessary to be known or believed, in order to salvation, is clearly 
revealed, and made level to every common capacity. 

I believe in God the Father, the Creator of the world, and Lord 

* T. C. D. p. 14. 



.'51 

of heaven and earth; and in his Sou Jesus Christ, who is the 
brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his 
person, and the only Savior of men; and in the Holy Ghost, by 
whose influences men are sanctified and comforted. I believe, 
that these three are united in the common design of advancing 
their own glory, and promoting the happiness of men. 

1 believe the scripture doctrine of original sin, viz. that by one 
man sin entered into the world; that by his disobedience many 
are made sinners; that our natures are very much depraved; and 
that, as all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, so 
they are become guilty before him, and are unworthy of the least 
of his mercies. 

I believe, that salvation is the free gift of God; that it is en- 
tirely owing to his unbounded mercy, that any of the children of 
men do arrive at everlasting glory; that it is not by works of 
righteousness, which we have done; but according to his mercy 
and grace, that he saveth us. 

I believe the scripture doctrine of election, viz. that God has 
chosen us in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that we 
should be holy, and without blame before him in love; that he 
has predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ 
to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will; and that 
we are chosen to salvation through sanctification of the spirit, and 
belief of the truth. 

I believe, that to accomplish this great salvation, God was 
pleased, according to the riches of his grace, to send his Son into 
the world to die for the sins of men; and that accordingly he suf- 
fered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification; 
and that it is by virtue of his meritorious passion, that we are 
now reconciled to God. 

I believe, that God's tender mercies are over all his works; 
and that he is not willing, that any should perish; but that all 
should come to repentance. 

I believe, that, unless God afford the gracious influences of his 
spirit, we cannot do any thing in religion, that shall be accepta- 
ble in his sight; and that he must work in us both to will and to 
do of his good pleasure, and carry on the work of faith with pow- 
er; otherwise we cannot be saved. 

I believe, that we are justified freely by God's grace, through 



82 

the redemption, that is in Jesus Christ, without the deeds of the 
law; that justification is of grace, and not of debt. 

I believe, that it is necessary, we should be sanctified by the 
Divine Spirit, in order to our obtaining heaven; and that without 
holiness no man shall see the Lord. 

I believe, that, after man is born again of the Spirit, or become 
the sincere servant of God, it is necessary, he should continue 
with patience in the ways of well doing, in order to his obtaining 
everlasting life; and that God, who begins the good work in us, 
will carry it on to the day of Christ. 

I believe, that the souls of all men, immediately upon their sep- 
aration from the body, do enter into a state of happiness or 
misery; and that every human body shall be raised again, and 
be reunited to its respective soul. 

Lastly, as there shall be a general resurrection of the just and 
unjust, 1 believe, that all men must appear before the judu;ment 
seat of Christ, and be rewarded, according to their works; that 
the righteous shall obtain eternal life, and the wicked suffer ever- 
lasting punishment." 

V. 

For some account of Deacon Elhanan Winchester, father of 
the celebrated preacher, bearing the same name, see C. C. D. p. 
31. I have since seen memorable sayings of Elhanan Winches- 
ter, preserved, in manuscript, by the Elders of "the Millenial 
Church, or United Society of Believers, commonly called Shakers," 
at Harvard. But they sound too much like the effusions of a 
man, in his dotage, to be worthy of publication, he having been 
converted to the faith, which he last embraced, at the close of 
life. He died among the Shakers, at Harvard, immediately after 
his arrival there, on 10 September, 1810, ^t- 91. 

VL 

Elhanan Winchester, junr. son of Deacon Elhanan, was born, 
in Brookline, in 1751, and baptized, in his infancy, by Mr Jona- 
than Hyde, Separatist and Pedobaptist. In process of time, Mr 
Winchester, was converted to the Baptist faith, was highly cele- 
brated in preaching its doctrines, and admitted numbers into the 
church by immersion. On visiting England, he embraced the 
doctrine of the final restoration of all men, preached it there and 
in his own country with considerable success, published a number 



33 

of volumes defending his sentiments, both in Europe and Ameri- 
ca. He died in Hartford, Connecticut, where, in the North Bu- 
rial ground, there is a monument with this inscription. 

"The General Convention of Universalist Churches, in mem- 
ory of their dear departed brother, the Rev. Elhanan Winchester, 
erected this monumental stone. He died, 18 April, 1797, Mt. 46. 

'Tvvas thiue to preach with animating zeal 

The glories of the Restitutioa morn. 

When sin, death, hell the power of Christ shall feel, 

And light, life, immortality be born." 

VII. 

The Rev. Joseph Jackson married Hannah, daughter of John 
Avery, Esq., of Boston, by whom he had two children, Sarah and 
Joseph. 

Sarah married Atherton Thayer, Esq., of Braintree, and tlien 
his brother Stephen. By the former, she had two daughters; and 
by the latter a son and a daughter. 

She died, 7 Feb. 1809, .-Et. 45. 

Her mother died, 2 October, 1800. 

Joseph, the only son, was graduated at Cambridge, in 1787, 
and died, while student of Medicine with Dr Cutter, of Ports- 
mouth, N. H. 19 August, 1790, ^t. 23. 

The late Dr Foster, of Brighton, has repeatedly informed me, 
that, at his own ordination, 1 November, 1784, Mr Jackson was 
Moderator, and prevented him from reading the confession of his 
faith before the Council, on the ground, that the Council had no 
right to demand it; and added, that, at his own ordination, 9 
April, 1760, he had, on the same principle, positively refused to 
be examined, as to his religious faith. From such a man, and at 
such periods, these facts are not a little remarkable. 
VIII. 

The Baptist Church, in Brookline, was gathered, on 5 June, 
1828, consisting of 12 males and 24 females. 

The Meeting house was dedicated, on 20 November, of the 
same year. 

The Rev. Joseph M. Driver was installed their first pastor, on 
25 March, 1830. 

The Rev. Joseph Andrews Warne, from the city of London, 
was installed their second pastor, 14 April, 1831, and preached 
5 



t. w? C. 



34 

his farewell sermon, on 29 January, 1837, and was soon installed 
over the third Baptist Church, in Providence, R. I. 

IX. 

Of the 61 Dwelling houses enumerated in C C. D. p. 26, as 
standing, in 1740, 18 are now remaining; but not a single house 
is inhabited by a descendant of a proprietor at that time. 

Fill the blank at 6 in the number of the houses with Samuel. 

X. 

In addition to the Church plate, mentioned in T. C D. p. 26, 
two silver cups were presented to the Church, on 2 August, 1818, 
by Miss Prudence Heath; and, on 4 October, of the same year, 
two silver cups were also given, one by Deacon John Robinson, 
the other by Mrs Lucy Robinson, his wife. 

The Church, in the meantime, purchased from their own funds 
two large silver plates; so that the whole Communion service is 
now of silver. 

XI. 
Of the graduates at Harvard University, who were natives of 
Brookline, mentioned T. C. D. p. 27, the following, as there num- 
bered, have since died. 

15. 1761. * Samuel Sewall, went, as a refugee, to England, 

where he died, May, 1811, JEt. 66. 

16. 1764.; * Hon. William Aspinwall, M. D., an eminent 
practitioner, as a physician, in his native Town, died, 16 
April, 1823, Mt. 80. See his biography in the Medical Bi- 
ography of Dr James Thacher, of Plymouth. 

19. 1777. * Hon. John Goddard, died at Portsmouth, N. H. 18 

December, 1829, ^t. 73. 
23. 1804. * William Aspinwall, M.D. died, 7 April, 1818, vEt. 34. 

25. 1805. * Rev. Samuel Clark, son of Deacon Samuel Clark, 

great-grandson of Deacon Samuel Clark, one of the early 
officers of this Church, died at Burlington, Vt. 2 May, 1827, 
JEt. 45. 

26. 1 805. * Isaac Sparhawk Gardner, grandson of Isaac Gardner, 

Esq. who fell in Lexington battle, and great great grandson 
of Deacon Thomas Gardner, first Deacon of this Church, is 
supposed to have died at the Southward, some years since; 
though it is not known when, nor where. 



£ot««9 



35 

Since 1805, two natives of the Town have been graduated at 
Harvard University. 

27. 1831. Rev. John Tappan Pierce, son of the present pastor, 

was ordained an Evangelist, at Oberlin, Ohio, 15 Oct., 1836. 

28. 1834. * Nathaniel Bowditch Ingersoll, teacher of the Classi- 

cal School, in Brookline, where hedied, 31 May, 1836, ^t. 22, 
So that there are but three graduates at Cambridge, natives of 
Brookline, supposed to be alive. 

The graduates at other Colleges from this Town have been, 

1. 1762. Princeton, N. J. * Caleb White died, 16 Dec. 1770, 

^t. SO. 

2. 1811. Brown University, R. I. Dr Luther Metcalf Harris, M. 

D. Physician in Roxbury. 

3. 1824. do. Rev. William Leverett, ordained Baptist minister, at 

Roxbury, 20 Jan. 1825. 
4—5. 1832. Do. Twins. Rev. Washington Leverett, Professor 
at Shurtleff College, Alton, Illinois; Warren Leverett, Se- 
nior, in the Newton Theological Institution. 
The last three are brothers. 

Mr. George Griggs is Senior at Brown University. 
There is also a Baptist clergyman from this town, the Rev. Ben- 
jamin Niles Harris, who has not received a collegiate education. 



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